Midwinter Ball: Glammed-up politicians attend Canberra’s night of nights to raise money for charity

Glammed-up politicians, corporate elites and journalists have descended on Parliament House for Canberra’s night of nights to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiance Jodie Haydon are among the high-profile attendees of the annual Midwinter Ball on Wednesday night with one anonymous person bidding more than $25,000 as part of the charity auction to have a meal with the pair.

The ball started with all eyes on which fashion labels were being worn.

Ms Haydon graced the marble foyer in a black sequin gown on arrival.

WA Labor MP Anne Aly stole the show in a statement piece she crocheted as a tribute to remember women lost to domestic violence.

The black crochet dress is covered with a colourful riot of flowers with every bloom different, each representing one of the 64 women killed last year at the hands of violent partners.

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe wore a white dress, which was emblazoned with pro-Palestinian slogans.

Greens Leader Larissa Waters arrived wearing “pro choice” earrings, while WA Senator Dorinda Cox added a “truth & justice now” clutch bag.

Since 2022, the nation’s leaders and their partners have used the event to promote their political views.

Two years ago, the ball was notable for the anti-coal and gas messages adorning the gowns of Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Claudia Perkins, partner of the party’s leader Adam Bandt.

Last year, Labor senator Jana Stewart used fashion to raise awareness of the Voice, with a gown embroidered with “Yes” and words from the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The ball, hosted by the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery, has this year raised more than $360,000. The total raised over the lifetime of the ball is more than $5.5 million.

This year’s charities include the Salvation Army’s domestic violence support service, Fitted For Work, the Humour Foundation, Frontier Services: Outback Links and ACT Pet Crisis Support.

A last-minute flurry of bids on Wednesday pushed the price for the meal at the Lodge or Kirribilli House with the Prime Minister and Ms Haydon up to $25,432.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s offer of dinner with him and two of his colleagues at one of Canberra’s finest restaurants attracted a bid of $12,000.

Qantas also offered two business class tickets to London or Los Angeles, which topped all auction prizes and went for $16,200.

Mr Albanese and Mr Bandt will be sitting on one of the front tables with their partners, while Mr Dutton and Nationals Leader David Littleproud will be on another in the Great Hall.

On the menu, there is wagyu beef carpaccio or champagne poached chicken for entree, char-grilled Humpty Doo barramundi fillet or roasted Armidale lamb loin for main, and red velvet roulade for dessert.

The event includes performances and speeches by the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader.

The prestigious Press Gallery Journalist of the Year award will also be handed to one deserving journalist at the ball.